To help applicants who are having trouble arranging appointments for non-immigrant visas, the US Mission in Nigeria has extended the validity of visa fees until September 2023.
Following concerns from Nigerians over the lack of interview dates, the Mission stated this on Thursday on its website.
Following the suspension of ordinary consular procedures due to the Covid-19 epidemic, it has been learned that hundreds of applicants are having problems acquiring appointment dates.
Many of the candidates have been given a nine-month appointment window from the time of booking.
The visa fee is only valid for one year after it is paid. However, the mission announced on its website that its validity has been extended until September 2023, allowing all candidates to get an appointment date.
It said it was working hard to restore ordinary consular services that had been interrupted in the previous two years.
“The United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria recognize that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee but have yet to book a visa appointment,” the statement adds.
“We’re working hard to get all normal visa procedures back up and running as soon as possible.”
“In the meantime, rest assured that the US Mission will extend the validity of your payment (also known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2023, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment due to the suspension of routine consular operations to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment using the already paid fee.”
